HSK 3 Vocabulary
493 new words with pinyin, meanings and an example sentence for every word. Search by character, pinyin without tones, or English.
See these words in a story
Every one has word-level pinyin, narrated audio and tap-to-define.
- HSK 3
No Seat in the Library
She resents a classmate who keeps saving an empty seat. Then she hears about his sick roommate.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin
- HSK 3
Drawing the Panda
She and her overworked dad go to the zoo to draw a panda. The panda stays asleep.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin
- HSK 3
Grandma in the Big City
Lost in a city that has changed, Grandma nearly gets hit at a red light. Her grandson helps.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin
HSK 3 nearly doubles your vocabulary to ~1,000 words. This is where reading starts to feel genuinely rewarding — you can follow multi-chapter stories with real narrative arcs, understand characters’ motivations, and handle most everyday topics.
Multi-chapter stories with developed characters and actual plot tension. Topics expand to work, health, hobbies, and social situations. You’ll encounter 把 constructions, result complements, and more complex time expressions that make the prose feel natural.
Study the 493 new Level 3 words offline with the Free HSK 3 Anki deck, including word and sentence audio.
Common Questions
Is HSK 3 the ‘intermediate plateau’ I keep hearing about?
HSK 3 is where many learners stall because textbook study becomes less effective. Extensive reading — consuming lots of comprehensible text — is the proven way through. Our graded stories give you that input at exactly the right difficulty.
How long are HSK 3 stories compared to lower levels?
HSK 3 stories typically have 5-8 chapters with 300-500 characters per chapter. That’s enough for real character development and plot twists, while keeping each reading session to about 10-15 minutes.
Should I use the pinyin toggle at HSK 3?
Try ‘smart’ pinyin mode — it only shows pinyin for words above your level. This builds character recognition for words you should know while helping with new vocabulary. Gradually wean off pinyin as your reading speed improves.
Read HSK 3 stories
Every one has word-level pinyin, narrated audio and tap-to-define.
- HSK 3
No Seat in the Library
She resents a classmate who keeps saving an empty seat. Then she hears about his sick roommate.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin
- HSK 3
Drawing the Panda
She and her overworked dad go to the zoo to draw a panda. The panda stays asleep.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin
- HSK 3
Grandma in the Big City
Lost in a city that has changed, Grandma nearly gets hit at a red light. Her grandson helps.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin
- HSK 3
Not a Real Job
He quits the bank to deliver food and save for a noodle shop. His parents won't accept it.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin
- HSK 3
The Year-End Show
The new hire has to organize the department's year-end show. Nobody wants to perform.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin
- HSK 3
First Winter in the North
From the south, she can't follow northern speech or skate. Then her desk mate offers a trade.
6 chapters · audio + pinyin